Life-saving raft.



l. BENYAK.

LIFE SAVlNG RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2. 1911.

1,249,887. Patented Dec. 11,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

FlGl'l.

Jar/14 9M J. BENYAK.

LIFE SAVING RAFT. APPLICATION FILED AUG-2, 1911.

1,249,887.? Patented Dc. 11,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Fl ca.

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ll ti Jtll-IN BEN'SZAK, 03.? GL.

SSlP'Olt'll, PENNSYLVANIJEA.

llfill l-htbldlr Application. filed August 2,

To all whom may concern:

.lfle it known that l, JoI-IN Bunyan, a subject of the liling of llungary, residing at tilassport in the county of Allegheny and f itate of Pennsylvania, have invented cerlain new and useful linproveinents in Lifeb aring Rafts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful inu 'ovenients in a life saving; raft. The primary object of the invention is the provision of a folding raft adapted for eniployineut on ship board ready forlaunching whenever found desirable and arranged with a ready means of propulsion.

15h. 'lurther object of the device is the pro "vision of a folding life raft having an inflated float, the device being arranged so as be compactly folded when desired to store the same although readily positionable :rer use when desired.

it. still further object of the device'is the provision of a raft especially adapted as a life saver arranged for folding when not desired for use and having a foldable propelling means, the raft being arranged with an air compartment adapted for supporting a large number of persons.

ln the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a top pla view of the device in its unfolded operative arrangement.

lBig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereor.

3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the forward portion of the device.

Fig. f is a similar sectional view of the rear portion thereof.

5 is a rear elevation of a portion of the framework and propelling means.

6 is a side view thereof partially in section and parts broken away the propeller niount being illustrated by dotted lines in its partially folded position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view partly in section of the propeller mount connection and Fig. fl is a side view of the hinged portion of one of the struts or ribs.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, a substantially rectangular float 10 is arranged consisting of a rubber bag, ll having a covering 12 of suitable material such as canvas, the bag being adapted for inflation specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 191"].

191?. Serial No. 184,621.

in any usual manner through a normally closed slit or opening 13 provided in the covering 12.

Suitable pockets l-lare provided in the said covering adapted for receiving prov].- sions and other articles while straps 15 are carried by the covering for securing articles or "the passengers upon the raft.

A. plurality of cross ribs 16 are securedto the upper side of the float 10 by stitches ill, the said ribs being; formed of separate parts hingred together as at 1d while the. central sections 19 of the ribs are of greater width thai'i the outer sections thereof and are connected by longitudinal stays i A l. two part power shaft E20 is centrally iourualed longitudinally of the raft being jourmilorl through bushings 21 centrally earl. ,l by the rib sections 19. v

N otays 22 are formed in two parts centrally hinged together as at substantially centrally of the raft while a sliding sleeve 24 connects the two parts of the shaft .30 together at a point between the hinges 23, it being lu'iderstood that cotter pins 25 are arrznged through the sleeve 24: and the sep-- arate portions of the shaft for uniting the portions thereof for simultaneous rotation.

The forward end of the shaft 520 is provided with a gear 26 in constant mesh with a gear 27 carried by a stub shaft 28 arranged upon the central section... 19 of the forward rib 16, while a removable crank 29 is provided for the gear 27.

it propeller mount 30 is swingingly carried by the rear free ends of the'stays 252 at a point rearwardly of the ribs 16 and above a cut at the stern portion 31 of the float 10, the said inount being; substantially r -shaped with its supporting arms 39, hinged as at 33 to the said. stays 22. it. stub shaft 84: ai anged at the free end of the straight arm 85 of the mount 30 and carries a propeller 86 having; a propelling; sprocket 37'. it sprocket chain 38 is an ranged over the sprocket 3? and also over a similar sprocket 39' secured to the rear end of the shaft 20. By this arrangement it will be understood that by turning; the crank 29, the shaft 20 will be revolved and the propeller 36 turned in either direction desired for moving the raft upon the water.

A. positioning bar 4:0 is slidably mounted upon the mount 30 in spanning relation therebetween by having its reduced ends ll slidably positioned wiinn the slots l2 of the said sides and arranged with side screws 43, whereby the bar 40 may be retained in its adjusted position upon the mount. A fork 44 is provided for the bar 40 adapted for spanning the shaft 20 when the bar is elevated with the mount 30 in its vertical operative position, it being noted that spaced collars 45 are fixed upon the shaft 20 adapt ed for the reception of the fork 44: therebetween. It will be understood that when the mount 30 is vertically positioned, the bar 40 may be elevated with the fork 44 arranged between the collars 4-5 and at which times the mount will be prevented from swinging upon its hinges 33. When desired to fold the device, the bag 11 is deflated thereby permitting the bag to be folded simultaneously with the folding of the ribs 16 upon the hinges 18 or, the bag may be folded transversely by disconnecting the portions of the shaft 20 and folding the stays 22 upon their hinges 28 while in either event, the bar 40 may be lowered to its inoperative position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, thereby permitting the mount 30 to be swung beneath the stays 22. The complete operation of the device will be apparent from this detailed description thereof, the device being folded when not desired for use and positioned at any convenient point upon the ship, while it may be readily unfolded and the bag 11 inflated so that the raft will support a number of passengers, and by means of the crank 29 and propeller 26 as heretofore set forth, the passengers may direct the movements of the raft.

What I claim as new is 1. A life raft comprising an inflatable substantially rectangular float, adapted for folding either longitudinally or transversely, central hinged longitudinal stays carried by the float, hinged ribs secured to the float and to the said stays, a sectional power shaft journaled through the said ribs, a swinging mount carried by the said stays, a propeller at the free end of said mount, operative connections between the said propeller and shaft and adjustable retaining connections between the said mount and shaft.

2. A life raft comprising a foldable tloat, a separable two part shaft journaled longitudinally thereof, an operating means arranged adjacent the forward end of the raft, a sprocket wheel and spaced collars arranged adjacent the rear end of the sha ft, longitudinal stays carried by the said lloat terminating adjacent the said collars. a Y- shaped mount hinged beneath the said stays and having slots in its opposite sides. a positioning bar adjustably arranged within the said slots, a fork carried by said bar adapted for spanning the shaft in restraining engagement between the said collars when the bar is elevated with the mount in its operative arrangement, a stub shaft at the free end of said mount, a propeller and sprocket wheel journaled upon said stub sha ft, and a sprocket chain arranged over the said sprocket wheels.

3. A life raft comprising a substantially rectangular float having a cutaway portion at the stern thereof, foldable ribs transversely arranged upon the float ha ring enlarged central sections, a divided operating shaft arranged longitudinally of the float journaled through the said enlarged sections, and operating means for the said shaft arranged forwardly of the lloat, a swinging mount arranged within the said cutaway portion of the float, a propeller upon the free end of said mount, positioning means for said mount and operative connections between the said propeller and. shaft.

In testimony whereof Iatiix my signature.

JOHN BENYAK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatcnts.

Washington, I). C. 

